Cracks in Victorian Terrace. Buy or not?

[Lamp61]

Hi. I'm in the process of buying the upstairs flat of a converted Victorian terrace in London (circa 120 years old) - share of freehold with the downstairs flat - and the Level 2 Home Buyers report stated the following: 

 

"The walls are of 225mm solid masonry. FRONT ELEVATION There is cracking below the ground floor bay window and above the first floor window that is likely to be caused by faulty drainage. A specialist drainage contractor’s report will therefore be required, which should involve a water retention test, possibly followed by a CCTV inspection. The local water company may be responsible for drainage repairs and this should be confirmed by your legal advisers. If a defect is found, it is likely that the drains could be sleeved. All cracks should be raked out to a depth of around 2cm to ensure a good key for the new mortar. Lime mortar, and not cement, should be used to allow the brickwork to breathe. If the cracking opens up again after any drainage repairs, further advice should be obtained from a structural engineer. We should mention that, if no drain leakage is found, other issues could be causing the movement and a structural engineer's specification would be required in those circumstances. REAR ELEVATION The condition of this part of the property is similar to the front elevation, with cracking between the ground and first floor windows that is likely to be caused by faulty drainage. As recommended above, our advice is to have a specialist drainage report carried out."

 

I'm considering paying for a Structural Engineer to visit. I can't decide whether to do the CCTV of the drains too. I've already spent £1,100 on fees so far and can't decide whether to spend up to another £1,000 - £1,500 or just walk away. I can't see any corresponding cracks to the inside of the property, but there is old wall paper on it so not sure and I haven't gained access to the downstairs flat (yet). Any suggestions and thoughts on how significant the cracks are would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. 

[markc]

Cracks at the bottom and back are old and nothing to worry about. The front right corner needs some investigation. Looks like the rafter could be pushing brickwork out due to broken/rotten tie.

still not the end of the world but would need sorting out and as this is the roof should be joint responsibility probably

[Lamp61]

Thanks a lot Markc. 

[Jilly]

 Welcome. Spending a lot of money on houses messes with your head. Old houses often have cracks, so don't panic, it's stood there all these years. I would personally prefer to have a structural engineers opinion as you are likely to get one anyway for a mortgage? Ask him to bring a ladder. Or a roofer or builder might also have a good look for you more cheaply/or even free if quoting for the work? One financial solution is to reduce your offer depending what the SE says. Re other causes of cracking, they seem less quick to advocate underpinning these days. You might have to keep the seller's insurance  if there has been some structural movement. If the cracks are caused by water ingress behind the facade the downstairs flat owner might have helpful knowledge. I got a little endoscope very cheaply off Amazon, probably not long enough for this, but good for looking behind stuff.